Pune: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) workers expressed frustration in the Pimpri Assembly constituency after Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) was awarded the seat as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) seat-sharing arrangement.

Upset with this decision, local Shiv Sena UBT workers, led by city president Sachin Bhosale, held a meeting at Sena Bhavan in Akurdi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, where they resolved not to campaign for the MVA candidate.

The decision hints at potential dissent within the MVA, with the Shiv Sena UBT faction members accusing Pawar of attempting to weaken the party’s influence in Pune district.

Tensions escalated after NCP (SP) second list announced Sulakshana Shilwant-Dhar as the candidate for the Pimpri Assembly seat, overlooking Shiv Sena UBT leaders like Sachin Bhosale and former MLA Gautam Chabukswar, who had shown interest and met with leadership to pursue candidacy.

However, the Pimpri seat ultimately went to NCP (SP) under the alliance’s seat-sharing agreement, leaving Shiv Sena UBT workers feeling marginalized.

During the meeting in Akurdi, Shiv Sena UBT workers passed a resolution declaring that they would not support the MVA candidate, and some members indicated they might contest independently.

According to Shiv Sena members, this stance reflects their resolve to maintain the party’s presence and influence despite the alliance’s arrangements. SSUBT workers also suggested that if necessary, independent candidates from the SS UBT faction would contest in three constituencies.

With candidates firm on running independently, it remains uncertain how MVA leadership will manage this growing rift. Party leaders are expected to address these internal disputes in hopes of retaining cohesion within the alliance.